3/06/2008 @ 11:32AM

Disney Partners With Toei Animation For 'Fireball'

Walt Disney confirmed its intention to partner with Toei Animation, the venerable Japanese anime powerhouse, and two other Japanese companies to produce cartoons tailored to Asian tastes, following a news report early in the day about its plans.

Disneys production partnership would begin by making a short childrens animation series to be aired in April in Japan, making use of three-dimensional computer graphics. The series, Fireball, features robots in distant future.

Mariko Hisamitsu, a Disney Japan official in charge of the television business, confirmed the news of the agreement with Agence France-Presse, saying, “We aim to provide products that match the taste of the local market” and “We have few precedents for localization. Disney characters are well recognized in Japan and we believe providing contents catering to consumers is necessary to expand the market.”

It appears to be a change of strategy for the U.S. entertainment giant, which has so far tried to export Mickey Mouse, the Little Mermaid and its other cuddly American characters to the international market. It would also be the first time that
Walt Disney
will have moved core production for a program outside of the United States, as it seeks to tap into Japans deep pool of animation talent and advanced computer graphics technology.

While the main market is Japan, Hisamitsu said it that the productions might be exported to other Asian countries, although nothing had been decided. Films will be produced in Japan using local animation creators and computer graphics specialists and will not be outsourced to other Asian countries, she added.

For Toei, working with Disney could provide it with stable income from co-production projects, compensating for the film business’s inherent unpredictability. It will also give it access to Disney’s vast distribution network outside Japan.

In addition to Toei, Disney will work with Madhouse Co. and Jinni’s Animation Studios.

Toei Animation, which is owned by the film studio Toei, has produced such animated hits as Dragon Ball, Voltron, Sailor Moon and Digimon. Toei has led the way in many areas of Japan’s movie business. It introduced karaoke videos and remains the largest producer of clips for the popular pursuit. Last year, Disney ABC Cable Networks bought the licensing rights to Toei Animations popular Digimon series.